Religious Education News

The season of Lent 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Yesterday, the students attended an Ash Wednesday mass (Years 3-6) or liturgy (K-Year 2) to receive the signing of the cross in ashes on our foreheads. This action contains rich symbolism, reminding us to turn back to God as a sign of repentance. I would like to thank Father Richard for celebrating with us. Thank you to the Year 2 and Year 6 teachers and students for preparing and organising both liturgies. The whole school was reverent and understood the importance of this special day.

Just as Jesus prepared for his forty day ministry in the wilderness, Lent is an opportunity for us to slow down and focus on our relationship with God. It is a time to make small sacrifices and engage in acts of charity, to become aware of our own weaknesses and the needs of others. 

It is suggested that during Lent we should go beyond ourselves out of love to lend a helping hand, be an encouragement or assist others with the necessities of life and fast from something that we really like.

As we begin the season of Lent, take some time to reflect on how you would like to journey through to Easter, in a way that is meaningful and impactful to you. May this Lenten season be a time of growth, renewal and sacrifice for us all.

Prayer for Lent

Loving God, 

I commit this coming season of Lent to you and ask you to show me what I need to turn away from and what I need to turn towards. 

Shine your loving light in those dark parts of my heart, and bring new life, new hope and new possibilities. Help me to walk more closely with Jesus, to know that I am deeply loved and to share 

His love with others. 

Amen.

Project Compassion

This week marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, to work with local communities worldwide to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’, and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world better by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in support of Project Compassion. 

Each classroom has received a Project Compassion box, in which the students are able to donate to the appeal. Let us remind each other to pray, fast and give this lent.

‘The future does have a name… and its name is HOPE’

 - Pope Francis

Stations of the Cross

Each grade (Years 3-6) will take part in praying the Stations of the Cross in the church. Additionally, K-2 students will have an opportunity to visit the Church and observe the Stations of the Cross. 

The Stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion that offers witness to Jesus’ Passion and Death. At each station, we use our senses and our imagination to reflect prayerfully upon Jesus’ suffering, Death, and Resurrection, and to simply walk on a pilgrimage with Jesus through a series of visual reflections. 

 Below are the dates:

• Stage 3 Friday 3rd March 12pm
• Year 4 Friday 17th March 12pm
• Year 3 Friday 21st March 12pm

Parents are welcome to join us in the church for the Stations of the Cross.

Sacrament of Penance 

Students in years three to six will receive the Sacrament of Penance in the coming weeks. This sacrament restores and strengthens our relationship with God. It is a wonderful way to prepare for Easter.

Kind Regards, 

Isabella Ingegneri

Religious Education Coordinator